About
Mary Usibelli’s course is notorious for featuring a local fox that frequently steals golf balls from players on the second green.
Mary Usibelli is a pioneering Alaskan golf course architect and the co-founder of Black Diamond Golf Course, located near Denali National Park. Born and raised in Alaska, Usibelli and her sister transformed a family hayfield into a driving range in 1995, starting with a simple honor-system can for payments. Over time, they expanded their vision into a unique 9-hole course that embraces the rugged Alaskan tundra, creating one of the northernmost golf experiences in the world. The course offers scenic mountain views and challenges such as tundra marsh, native wildlife, and even a fox known for stealing golf balls. Usibelli has overseen the course’s evolution, adding a clubhouse, restaurant, and guided tours, while fostering a welcoming and community-focused environment. Her entrepreneurial spirit has allowed the operation to grow from just two employees to 90 during peak seasons, making Black Diamond a standout in adventure golf tourism in Alaska.
